ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
National Conference on “Sustainable and Environment-friendly Industrial Production”
 organized Second National Conference today at Hyatt Hotel, New Delhi on Sustainable and Environment-friendly Industrial Production  Project which isa joint programme of Ministry &GIZ -The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH or GIZ in short is a German development agency.
The project concludes in two weeks and Ministry organized this conference for dissemination of results, successful models and experiences so as to enable replication and plan further actions with state agencies on Pan-India basis. The project worked directly with companies and advised them on environment friendly production and wastewater management in 5 industrial areas in three states .
Amongst 70 participants included representatives from 18 State Pollution Control Boards and 8 State Industrial Departments including representation from J&K, Tripura, Jharkhand, Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc.
Shri A. K. Jain, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC inaugurated the conference and stressed thatRegional Replication Workshops shall be carried out at various locations involving state local bodies, in the next phase of SEIP, for further dissemination of results. He also stated that government representatives shalltake learnings from today and come back to Ministry sharing their experience. Amongst other dignitaries were Ms. Manju Pandey – Joint Secretary and Mr. Rakesh Kumar -Director from MoEFCC, Mr. Wolfgang Koester- German Embassy, Dr. Julie Reverie- Country Director GIZ, Mr. Raghu Babu- SEIP Project Director GIZ and Mr. A. Sudhakar from CPCB.
Some major interventions from this project which were discussed over the day included topics as – Resource efficiency and cleaner production in industries , voluntary action by industries and industrial associations, skills development, sustainability standards for industrial areas, etc.
Special Service and Features
Minimum Support Price  for Copra for 2022 season announced
Kochi: Dec 31, 2021
The MSP for Fair Average Quality  of milling copra has been increased to Rs10,590/- per quintal for 2022 season from Rs.10,335/- per quintal in 2021 and the MSP for ball copra has been increased to Rs.11,000/- per quintal for 2022 season from Rs.10,600/- per quintal in 2021. The revision in the Minimum Support Prices  for copra for 2022 season is approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The decision is based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices . The revised MSP ensures a return of 51.85 percent for milling copra and 57.73 percent for ball copra over the all India weighted average cost of production.
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited and National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited will continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies to undertake price support operations at the MSP in the coconut growing States.
(Visitor Counter : 59
Ministry of Finance
Exchange Rate Notification No.99/2020 - Customs 
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 , and in supersession of the Notification No.95/2020-Customs, dated 1st October, 2020 except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs hereby determines that the rate of exchange of conversion of each of the foreign currencies specified in column  of each of Schedule I and Schedule II annexed hereto, into Indian currency or vice versa, shall, with effect from 16th October, 2020, be the rate mentioned against it in the corresponding entry in column  thereof, for the purpose of the said section, relating to imported and export goods.
SCHEDULE-I
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Sl.No.
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Foreign Currency
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Rate of exchange of one unit of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
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1.
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Australian Dollar
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53.55
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51.25
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2.
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Bahraini Dinar
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200.95
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188.60
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3.
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Canadian Dollar
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56.85
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54.85
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4.
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Chinese Yuan
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11.10
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10.75
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5.
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Danish Kroner
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11.80
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11.35
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6.
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EURO
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87.80
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84.70
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7.
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Hong Kong Dollar
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9.65
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9.30
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8.
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Kuwaiti Dinar
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247.80
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232.35
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9.
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New Zealand Dollar
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50.10
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47.85
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10.
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Norwegian Kroner
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8.05
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7.80
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11.
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Pound Sterling
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97.15
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93.85
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12.
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Qatari Riyal
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20.80
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19.55
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13.
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Saudi Arabian Riyal
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20.20
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18.95
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14.
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Singapore Dollar
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55.00
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53.10
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15.
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South African Rand
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4.55
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4.30
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16.
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Swedish Kroner
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8.45
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8.15
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17.
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Swiss Franc
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82.00
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78.75
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18.
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Turkish Lira
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9.55
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9.00
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19.
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UAE Dirham
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20.65
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19.35
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20.
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US Dollar
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74.25
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72.55
SCHEDULE-II
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Sl. No.
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Foreign Currency
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Rate of exchange of 100 units of foreign currency equivalent to Indian rupees
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1.
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Japanese Yen
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71.05
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68.40
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2.
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Korean Won
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6.60
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6.20
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares article by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared an article by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.
The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted:
“Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya writes how 'Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination' Mission will provide great strength to the fight against the disease.”
IFSC Authority
Equivalence status by the European Commission to Central Counter Parties  supervised by IFSCA
On 1 October 2020, the International Financial Services Centres Authority  became the unified regulator for all financial services and financial products in the International Financial Services Centre . Thereafter, IFSCA notified the IFSCA  Regulations, 2021 on April 16, 2021 and since that date are applicable to CCPs established and operating in the IFSC.
The European Commission , on the basis of its assessment has concluded that the legal and supervisory arrangements in respect of CCPs authorised by IFSCA provide for effective supervision and ongoing enforcement, and comply with the requirements laid down by European Commission in this regard and accorded equivalence status to CCPs supervised by the IFSCA. Accordingly, in terms of the requirements laid down in European Market Infrastructure Regulation , the EC on June 08, 2022 has accorded equivalence status to the following CCPs operating in IFSC under the supervision of IFSCA:
a. India International Clearing Corporation Limited
b. NSE IFSC Clearing Corporation Limited and
The decision has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union and is available at
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2022/901/oj .
Ministry of Finance
DGGI  booked a case against unregistered Pan Masala/Gutkha manufacturing unit
Acting on specific intelligence the Directorate General of Goods and Service Tax Intelligence, Headquarters  has unveiled an unregistered Pan Masala/Guthka factory, being run in Delhi.
Searches were conducted at various places on 25.06.2020, including the unregistered factory, godowns and residence of main beneficiary. During the search, incriminating documents and electronic devices pertaining to the supply of Pan Masala/guthka without payment of taxes and duties were recovered. Preliminary investigation in the case has revealed the evasion of more than Rs. 40crore till now. Manufacturing, storing, sale and distribution of guthka is banned by Govt. of Delhi. The data from the seized documentshas revealed that the unregistered factory was carrying out the operation even during the lockdown period.
The main beneficiary of the unregistered Pan Masala/Gutkha factory has been arrested on 27.06.2020 under the provisions of CGST Act, 2017. He was placed under judicial custody of 14 days.
Further investigation, in the case, is still under process.
RM/KMN
(Visitor Counter : 1145
Ministry of Defence
Valedictory ceremony of Combat Aviators Course
Combat Army Aviation Training School  located at Gandhi Nagar Airfield, Nashik Road is the premier flying training institution of the Indian Army which functions under the aegis of Army Training Command , Shimla. On 25 May 22, thirty seven officers were awarded the coveted 'Aviation Wings' to become Combat Helicopter Pilots after having successfully completed the Combat Aviators Course. It was a momentous occasion for Army Aviation as the first women helicopter pilot of Indian Army earned the coveted Aviation wings.
The ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Suri, Director General and Colonel Commandant Army Aviation. During the training, the officers underwent rigorous flying training. Officers with outstanding performance in various disciplines were awarded trophies to acknowledge their achievements.
Capt Ashish Kataria was awarded the 'Silver Cheetah' trophy for standing First in the Overall Order of merit and 'Captain SK Sharma trophy for 'Best in Flying'. Capt Shravan Manilathaya PM was awarded the Air Observation Post-35' trophy for standing First in Ground Subjects. The 'Fledgling' trophy for standing First in Pre Army Pilot Course Serial Number 35 was awarded to Capt Abhilasha Barak and 'Captain PK Gour' trophy for 'Best in Gunnery' was awarded Capt RK Kashyap.
The Army Aviation Corps has completed 35 glorious years and was bestowed with the prestigious President's 'Colours' by the Hon'ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind in the year 2019. Army Aviation is undeniably a formidable force multiplier, a key combat enabler and a vital fighting arm of the Indian Army.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Support to MSME Sector
The World Bank has communicated to the Ministry of MSME that, in its Board meeting dated 4th June 2021, it has approved a loan of US $500 million  to assist Government of India’s programme “Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance ”, which is an initiative to revitalize the MSME sector that has been heavily impacted by the COVID -19 pandemic.
RAMP is a part of the MSME Competitiveness – A Post COVID Resilience and Recovery Programme . State-wise investments and approvals for RAMP programme have not been made since Cabinet approval for RAMP is awaited.
As per the World Bank Programme Appraisal Document for the RAMP programme, over 40 percent of MSMEs lack access to formal sources of finance. The proposed programme  supports various interventions in COVID Resilience and Recovery initiatives of the Government. The program aims at improving market access, access to credit, strengthening Institutions and governance at the Central and State level. The programme will support the ongoing support programmes of the Government, focusing on competitive aspect of MSMEs.
This information was given by Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan Rane in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Steel
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan holds video Conference with Steel Ministry CPSEs on Public Health Response to COVID-19.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas &Steel Minister ShriDharmendraPradhan, held a Video conference with officers of Ministry of Steel and CPSEs under the Ministry of steel, in connectionwith Public Health Response to COVID-19.Minister of State for Steel ShriFagggan Singh Kulaste and Secretary ShriBinoy Kumar were also present.Following decisions were taken in the meeting:
- All the Central Public Sector Enterprises  to adhere to the norms for social distancing circulated by the Government in their workplace, townships, mines, etc.
- Hospitals, Quarantine facilities, etc. communicated by the CPSEs to M/o H&FW and/or State Governments in connection with COVID-19, may be kept in full preparedness.
- The CPSEs may replicate the Service initiative launched by SAIL . Under the said initiative, ‘Annadaan’  initiative may immediately be adopted by the Steel CPSEs for migrant workers, weaker sections, etc.
Meanwhile, under the Corporate Social Responsibility, each Steel CPSEs will be contributing to the PM CARES fund, as under:
YKB/TFK
(Visitor Counter : 368
Ministry of Science & Technology
ARCI scientists develop next-generation biodegradable metal implants
The team is certain that the newly developed alloys are suitable for biodegradable stent and orthopedic implant applications
Scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials  and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram both autonomous institutes under the Department of Science & Technology  have jointly developed new generation Iron-Manganese based alloys for biodegradable metal implants for use in humans.
Biodegradable materials , which can participate in the healing process and then degrade gradually by maintaining the mechanical integrity without leaving any implant residues in the human body are better alternatives to currently used metallic implants which remain permanently in the human body and can cause long-term side effects like systemic toxicity, chronic inflammation, and thrombosis.
The ARCI team employed both conventional melting and powder metallurgy techniques in manufacturing of the new Fe-Mn based biodegradable alloys and stent having dimensions as Diameter: 2 mm, Length: 12 mm and Wall thickness: 175 µm.
Iron-Manganese based alloy Fe-Mn  is a promising biodegradable metallic implant which exhibits single austenitic phase  with MRI compatibility.
The Fe-Mn alloy produced at ARCI exhibited 99% density with impressive mechanical properties and behaved as a nonmagnetic material even under a strong magnetic field of 20 Tesla. These properties are comparable to presently used permanent Titanium  and stainless-steel metallic implants. The alloy also showed a degradation rate in the range of 0.14-0.026 mm per year in the simulated body fluid, which means that the Fe-Mn alloy exhibits mechanical integrity for 3-6 months and completely disappears from the body in 12-24 months.
During the degradation process, calcium phosphate deposits on the implant due to local alkalization and saturation of calcium and phosphate, allow cells to adhere onto the surface to form tissues.
The team is making further efforts to achieve control in corrosion rates through alloying addition and surface engineering and to employ advanced manufacturing processes like additive manufacturing to realize complicated shapes.
Based on the impressive results, the ARCI team is certain that the newly developed Fe-Mn based alloys are suitable for biodegradable stent and orthopedic implant applications. Invivo and in-vitro studies are being planned at Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences by the team.
For more details, contact Dr. Kaliyan Hembram 
Fig.1:  As cast Fe-Mn-Si alloys billet,  Extruded and heat-treated rods,  Stent made by laser micro-machining,  Stress-Strain curve of the alloy,  and  SEM images of tube and stent
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President interacts with new Union Ministers
Continuing his interaction with the newly elected Ministers in the Union Cabinet, the Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu interacted with three Ministers in different endearments, here today. Shri Naidu complemented the Ministers for the contribution made by their respective ministries in India’s progress and advised them to take all the necessary steps to improve the life of common man.
The newly elected Minister of Food Processing and Industries, Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal along with the Mister of State, Shri Rameswar Teli called on the Vice President at his residence and apprised him of the developmental activities undertaken by their ministry and also informed the Vice President about the future plans of the ministry to boost the food processing sector in India, especially through public private partnership.
Opining that the food processing sector could supplement on-farm income and help in farmers double their incomes, Shri Naidu advised the Minister to educate and empower the farming community to focus on food processing to ensure value addition to agricultural produce and make farmers as active partners in food processing.
The Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Mahendranath Panday also called on the Vice President and told him about government’s initiatives on skill development to realize the demographic dividend. Shri Naidu also advised the minister to scale up skill development activities and enhance industry institutional linkages. The Vice President opined that Skill development is the key catalyst for India’s future.
During his interaction with the Minister of Law and Justice, Communications and Electronics and Information technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Vice President enquired about SAMEER  in Andhra Pradesh.
The Minister apprised the Vice President that the 80 crores worth project established at Gambheeram near Vizag is nearly complete and functioning.
Foundation Stone of SAMEER Centre for Electromagnetic Environmental Effects  at Visakhapatnam was laid on 18th February 2016 by the Vice President, when he was the Union Minister for Urban Development.
The Vice President also underscored the importance of addressing the issue of expediting election petitions and criminal cases especially related to the heinous category as well as a time-bound disposal of cases under anti-defection laws.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
National Road Safety Week to be Launched on Monday
Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Union External Affairs Minister Smt Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari, and Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Chemicals and Fertilisers Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya will inaugurate the 30th National Road Safety Week, 2019 in New Delhi on Monday, the 4th of February. The event will take place at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan, Rajghat, New Delhi. It will be attended by a host of school children, NGOs, and stakeholders in road safety from Government and industry.
Various programmes will be held during the Road Safety Week, including seminars and workshops on Emerging Trends in Safety, Road Safety Engineering, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Emergency care , Role of Youth, and Industry/ Corporate Conclave on Role of Corporate in Road Safety. These will be attended by representatives of OEMs, ACMA, Test Agencies, Road Engineers/Auditors and Road Construction Companies/ Concessioners, Corporates, NGOs, Insurance Companies, Medical Staff, and college students. School Bus Driver Refresher Training session will also be held at IDTR, Sarai Kale Khan, where bus drivers from private schools will be imparted training on road safety.
A Motorcar Rally will also be flagged off on the occasion to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The rally will travel through places historically associated with Gandhiji, both in India, as well as in Bangladesh and Myanmar. It will connect the places of significance in Gandhiji’s life, and simultaneously take up advocacy on Road Safety concerns. The Rally will pass through Sabarmati, Porbandar, Dandi, Yerwada, Sewagram, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Chauri Chaura, Champaran, Shantiniketan and Kolkata in India before travelling to Dhaka in Bangladesh. It will conclude at Yangon in Myanmar on the 24th of February. The motor rally will cover around 7250 km to reach Yangon. This is part of the yearlong celebrations to commemorate the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi in India and across the globe, initiated by Government of India on 2nd October last year.
Ministry of Finance
Cabinet ‘In Principle’ approves strategic sale of the Government of India’s existing 52.63% of total paid up equity shareholding in Rural Electrification Corporation to Power Finance Corporation along with transfer of management control
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ‘In Principle’approval for strategic sale of the Government of India’s existing 52.63% of total paid up equity shareholding in Rural Electrification Corporation  to Power Finance Corporation  along with transfer of management control.
The acquisition intends to achieve integration across the Power Chain, obtain better synergies, create economies of scale and have enhanced capability to support energy access and energy efficiency by improved capability to finance power sector. It may also allow for cheaper fund raising with increase in bargaining power for the combined entity.
Both REC and PFC are Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Power.
Ministry of Defence
Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan AVSM, VM Takes Over As 17th Commander-In-Chief, Andaman & Nicobar Command 
Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, AVSM, VM has taken over as the 17th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command  on 01 May 2023. The Andaman and Nicobar Command  is the only Joint-services Command in India and serves as a model for the country's planned theaterisation of Army, Navy, and Air Force capabilities.
Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan is a distinguished alumnus of the National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, having been commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force  in 1986. With over 3200 accident-free fighter flying hours on various variants of MIG-21 and Kiran aircraft, he is an accomplished fighter combat leader. The Air Marshal has held various key positions throughout his illustrious career, including CO of a Bison Squadron, the first Commanding Officer of an AWACS Squadron, and Air Officer Commanding at the prestigious AF Station at Jodhpur. Before assuming Command of ANC he was the Senior Air Staff Officer at the IAF Training Command at Bengaluru.
For his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Presidential Awards of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal.
Ministry of Finance
CBDT extends due dates of TDS compliance in respect of deductors in the State of Odisha
With a view to redress genuine hardship faced by the deductors due to the severe disruption of normal life and breakdown of communication systems caused by cyclone "Fani" hitting the State of Odisha on 3rd of May, 2019, CBDT has provided the following relief in TDS compliance to the deductors in the State of Odisha. CBDT has:
 Extended the due date of depositing tax deducted at source  for the month of April, 2019 from 7th of May, 2019 to the 20th of May, 2019;
 Extended the due date of filing of Quarterly Statement of TDS for the last quarter of Financial Year 2018-19 from 31st of May, 2019 to the 30th of June, 2019; and
 Extended the due date for issue of TDS certificates in Form 16 and 16A from 15th of June, 2019 to 15th of July, 2019.
Order dated 24.05.2019 issued under section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 to this effect is available on www.incometaxindia.gov.in.